A former Burnley FC academy footballer who was tipped for the Premier League has appeared in court accused of rape.

John Cofie, 30, appeared in court on Monday, January 23, where it was alleged he had raped a woman in Trafford, Greater Manchester, in 2019.

Cofie, and his co-defendant Nathan Stuart, both denied the charges against them at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

Cofie was once tipped to become a star in the Premier League after Sir Alex Ferguson signed him from Burnley FC for the Manchester United youth team when he was just 14 years old, making him the youngest ever £1 million footballer.

Despite Sir Alex thinking he had star potential, Cofie never made a full senior appearance for Manchester United, spending lengthy periods on loan at clubs including Sheffield United and Royal Antwerp.

After being released from Manchester United, Cofie had spells at Barnsley, Crawley Town, Wrexham and Chorley before retiring from football in 2017 at the age of 27. 

He now works as a football coach at a Lancashire school.

Cofie, a Ghanaian footballer born in Germany, was spotted at a youth tournament in Germany by scouts who brought him to Turf Moor.